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RECALL ELECTION TAKES SHAPE
Friday, June 3rd, 2011 -- 9:59 am
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
 The man behind a recall election of a Clark County supervisor takes issue with the incumbent’s support of a county comprehensive plan; but the target of the effort says he won’t go down without a fight.
Byrl Dahl of Chili filed a petition with the county to recall Steve Okonek of Chili. The petition had 163 signatures—64 more than needed to force another election.
Dahl will run against Okonek after the signatures are reviewed—probably sometime in August.
"(The plan) was voted down at the county level and the town level four or five years ago," Dahl notes.
Dahl says Okonek ignored the will of his constituents when he spearheaded the effort to bring back the controversial plan. At a county board meeting last month, Dahl spoke against the effort, saying comprehensive planning was part of a communist plot to gain control over the people and the land.
Okonek’s 2-year term on the board is up in April, but Dahl believes his actions justify a recall election and whatever costs may come.
"He wasn't following the directive of the people. He was at a town meeting, and they reprimanded him for it," Dahl states.
Okonek says he will fight the recall attempt “vigorously” by going door-to-door in the 20th district.
"It's within their rights (to have the recall). I do feel it's going to be a horrible waste of county money," Okonek says.
County Clerk Christina Jensen estimates the race will cost between $1,000 and $2,000, based on a review of past recalls.
Okonek isn’t about to poke fun at people who may feel comprehensive planning may be a stepping stone to “One World Government,” but says it’s just not true.
"There is a lot of misunderstanding, a lot of misinformation about the comprehensive plan. Now that's it's passed, everyone will see it's not a communist plot, it's not going to take away land rights," Okonek claims.
Jensen is in the process of reviewing the signatures on the recall petition. When she’s done, Okonek will have 10 days to review them. The election could be held sometime in early- to mid-August.
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